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Murano > Glass factories
Murano glass factories
Page 3 of 11
From:
Murano, the Glass Island

ABOVE: V.I.A.'s glass furnace on Murano. INSET
BELOW: A factory showroom, the V.I.A. factory entrance, and a barge filled with
waste glass.
Public factory visits
The
most interesting glass factories and ateliers on Murano aren't open to visitors,
for two reasons:
-
They're in the business of making glass, not entertaining tourists;
-
Master glass artisans have spent years refining their proprietary
techniques and don't want competitors taking notes.
Still, as you walk around Murano, you're likely to find mass-market fornaci
or furnaces that welcome tourists. The V.I.A. factory is a good example:
From
the Colonna waterbus stop, turn left as you exit the boat platform and walk
along the water until you reach a "Fornace Glass" sign on a door below the
Calle S. Cipriano street sign, pass beneath the entrance sign, follow the sidewalk, and enter the
building to
view a glassmaking demonstration for a small fee that can be credited
against a purcase from the factory's shop.
The demonstration takes less than 10 minutes, but it's
interesting if you haven't seen a glass furnace.
Tips for visiting:
-
Look for open factories on weekday mornings. Don't count on much action
during the lunch hour (which can run from noon or 1 p.m. until
mid-afternoon).
-
In Venice, you're likely to be approached by representatives of touristy
factory showrooms that offer free boat trips to Murano. If you accept, be
prepared for a high-pressure sales pitch. (We'd recommend getting to Murano
by
public transportation, which is
quick, easy, and pressure-free.)
-
If
you're a serious glass collector or buyer, you may be able to visit some of
the more artistic fornaci by appointment. we'd suggest making arrangements
through a gallery, dealer, or decorator who has contacts in Murano.
-
To phone
or correspond with workshops directly, buy Michela and Nicoló Scibilia's
Comprehensive Guide to the Island of Murano (see
page 9 of this
article) and use the listings in its "Production" chapter as a starting
point for your planning.
-
Glass factories are normally closed for maintenance during August, though a few
tourist-oriented demonstration furnaces may stay open. (Check with the
Venice tourist office during your visit.)
-
Due to a massive spike in the cost of natural gas, many of the island's
furnaces have been shut down recently, and it's unclear how soon--if
ever--all of the the dormant fornaci will be fired up again. This
could make it harder to find glass factories that are offering public
demonstrations.
Next page:
Sightseeing on Murano
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